Tips for Buying a Tablet

Introduction

2012 has been a huge year for tablets. As expected, Amazon’s new entry into the market, the Kindle Fire, was a runaway success, rocketing to the #2 spot on the tablet top seller list. There’s also been a ton of added competition this year. Google’s Nexus 7, an updated iPad (including the just-announced 7-inch iPad Mini) and updated Nook and Kindle Fire lines have all jumped into the fray and will be vying for your holiday dollar.

While the above models have made some considerable noise, they’re not the only tablets available this season, and you’ll be sure to see deals on a wide variety of brands you may not be familiar with. Some of these will show up in ads that carry a lot of electronics while others may be key doorbusters trying to entice you into department stores. While the price may look nice at first, remember that all tablets are not created equal.

If you’re interested in picking up a tablet but aren’t sure which model to buy, you’ve come to the right place. This buying guide will ask, and help answer, a handful of key questions you should keep in mind when searching for a new tablet.